Ohio man pleads not guilty to updated charges in possible death penalty case in 3 killings

FILE - In his Aug. 20, 2013, file photo, Michael Madison looks toward the prosecuting attorney during a pretrial hearing in Cleveland. Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy McGinty announced Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013, that a grand jury added specifications that could lead to a death sentence for 35-year-old Madison, accused of killing three women whose bodies were found wrapped in plastic in East Cleveland, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)
(The Associated Press)

CLEVELAND – An Ohio sex offender suspected of killing three women has pleaded not guilty to updated charges including aggravated murder that could lead to a death sentence if he's convicted.

Deputies escorted 36-year-old Michael Madison in shackles into court in Cleveland on Thursday for a brief arraignment on an updated indictment that added the death penalty option.

Defense attorney David Grant spoke for Madison, entering the not guilty plea. Grant had lobbied against making it a death-penalty case but says he wasn't surprised by the decision.

Madison is accused of killing three women and leaving the bodies in trash bags in a rundown East Cleveland neighborhood. They were found in July after police were called about an odor coming from a garage.